The game hasn't aged well. Compared to Half-Life, the shooting mechanics are bad, as is the AI. I know the game isn't meant to be played as a shooter, but the AI keeps stealth from being a viable option. I didn't like the hacking. The UI was pretty bad as well. It just wasn't my type of game, I guess. HOwever, from watching HR videos, I've seen it is better in a lot of these departments, particularly shooting, stealth, and hacking.

How's Mass Effect 2? I was going to buy it for my PS3 (now down to $20) and a few years ago, I might have bought it instinctively because of the BioWare label, but recent endeavors by BioWare and complaints about the game being more of a third-person shooter than an RPG are putting me off. What do you think?

How is the new Assassin's Creed, from the one person I know who has it, they told me that it was pretty good with story and gameplay and stuff, possibly great. But the new minigame comes to often and is uneeded. Any other thoughts?

I am really enjoying it, my biggest complaint is it feels almost identical to Brotherhood....

Largely depends on what you look for in an RPG if you want a lot of statistics and to be fiddling with an inventory constantly where you're supposed to get excited about the gun that does 2% damage and the one that does 3% damage etc then you won't enjoy it. If you're looking for a wide and interesting cast, great dialogue, a more episodic structure that takes you on a hectic journey where there are big and small consequences interspersed with a solid action game then you'll enjoy it.

Do you want to define your character through their actions, choices and relationships with people and events or through numbers on a table?

I found the environments varied, interesting and atmospheric. The characters entertaining and worth listening to. You'll be in for a treat with Mordin! Action was varied depending on class and satisfying. Great music and presentation. Really enjoyed it.

Planet scanning takes the Mako's place from the first Mass Effect. Neither were enjoyable that was about the only downside for me.

That and that the game ended.
Roll on Mass Effect 3. :clap:

I'm looking for clear RPG character progression, choice, and customization in stats and story, lots of refreshing, non-rehashed gameplay (It's not any shorter than other BioWare RPGs pre DA II, is it?) and settings (setting looks so cool... and setting is a major part of my consideration for any form of entertainment), a bit of breathing room to explore (Is it like other BioWare RPGs pre DA II in that regard?), and likeable characters. Basically, I'm looking for a game a Baldur's Gate, KotOR, and DA: Origins and general RPG fan may enjoy. It is blatantly a well-done BioWare game not "dumbed-down" to the point of DA II, right?

Edit: Oh, and I will not have played the first one, so will I be lost or still in the clear?

If you do buy ME2 then it's certainly worth getting the first. Mainly for the continuence of character decisions and tertiary encounters that add that extra flavour to the world. You can get away without playing the first one, it's just nice to have the continuence of the imported character, events and misc descisions into ME2 and subsequently ME3.

The first Mass Effect had both inventory (terribly done) and threw a bone to the number obsessives. Downside was it had bland side tasks in recycled locations, the actual task ideas were pretty good though. Just the settings and how you went about them was disapointing. The key story though was solid and well done. Combat was pretty weak and the Mako....... :swear: Really you were playing for the story and characters.

ME2 threw a lot out the window. The inventory was practically eliminated and the stats were bare-bones. Instead they focused on the world, it's inhabitants and what you did. The shift from the largely linear story in ME in favour of the episodic style where you'd be assembling a team, gaining their loyalty, researching improvments for your gear, squad, ship - all the while progressing towards the big finale (and it's varying outcome) was an aquired taste. Made for more choice over what you did though which was nice. You were generally given a relaxed lead to run on. You'd recruit four characters, then a portion of the main story would unlock etc. Side tasks were more varied in location and nature also.

I never did try DA2. I loved DA Origins though.

As for length expect about 40 - 50 hours depending on if you get any of the addons. First time I played I finished in about 40 hours. That's without carrying a save over from ME1 or any of the addons. Playing through again with an imported character and some of the addons and it's looking to take around 50+ hours.

You'll get pretty much all that you'd like on your list apart from the numbers in tables. Not really much of a sacrifice? :wavey:

In my personal opinion, I thought Mass Effect 2 was ok, but it felt a lot more like an action game to me. Compared to Dragon Age: Origins, KotOR, and Mass Effect it feels like a Bioware story (I didn't like that much at all either) and character interaction thrown on a Third Person Shooter. Just how it felt to me though. :shrug:

Well, the PS3 didn't really get the first Mass Effect and that's my primary platform. I'll have to go without the first or I'd have to play the first with poor, but possibly playable, performance on my weak laptop and still not get the benefit of my imported character, so I'm afraid I'm just going to have to go without the first, although I heard they did something for the PS3 version so us first-timers would have a briefing about the first game's general premise.


I... I get my own ship?! Is this like KotOR all over again?!